Museums

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In keeping with the idea this was a cultural visit rather than a holiday, wet days offered an opportunity to go and see some museums whilst also exploring other neighbourhoods. This post briefly covers museums visited. I don't try and provided huge detail because that's all available on line for those interested. Rather I touch on some small or other notable points that caught my attention for whatever reason. Palaces Museum Having ventured out in spite of what turned out to be 3 days of pretty constant rain, The Palaces Museum, adjacent to Gyeongbokgung, was my first museum stop.  Sadly an entire floor of permanent exhibits was closed. However, amongst other things, I came across an excellent digital immersive rendition of a very famous exploratory narrative from the 16th Century, captured in a folding screen landscape painting of the 19th Century.  Follow the link to look at the picture more closely. Of interest, although I may be making a connection that doesn't exist, ...
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First 24 hours

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Got to bed around 0100 after last night's quick post, and grabbed some on /off sleep until about 0900, when some workmen turned up to continue some adjacent renovations.  I had been notified about this (it's a legal requirement to notify neighbours and apartment building residents if you are planning work and to get their signature that they've been notified). Quiet chat only, no loud and ubiquitous musak as appears to be the norm in UK. Tool disturbance and mess kept to a minimum and cleaned up at the end of the day.

Weather was forecast as v nice so after a breakfast of toast and tea (provided by the Airbnb host), set off to orientate myself to the local vicinity. 5 minutes later realised I'd forgotten my camera so went back and retrieved it before setting off again.

Where I am

The apartment is located in the centre of the historic centre of Seoul:










The above extract, from Naver Map, shows where we are for the first week (Accom1 - a traditionally styled Hanok) and then where we move to for the second weekend (Accom2 - overlooking LotteWorld), before going on the road for 5 days. The second map zooms on Accom1, showing its location in Bukchon Village, within 500m of the two largest palace complexes.








Rooves and Spring

I felt like a kid in a sweet shop all morning, listening to the Korean voices (I recognised and loved the sounds, if not much of the meanings) and soaking up the atmosphere and trying to capture some of it. Hanok roofs and flowering azaleas, and my first view of the iconic Namsan Tower. Listening to a Korean couple enjoying the atmosphere and conversing about how lovely the weather and flowers were, I caught their eyes and we had a pleasant 15 minutes exchanging pleasantries. She had spent 4 years living in UK and seemed very happy to respond in English to my Korean (and English). Her husband offered me my first taste of rice cake in black bean powder - a common form of Korean snack with a pleasant texture but quite bland.
























And a few other bits

Simply too many other things trying to grab my attention: Palace gates; seagull meat - I might be tempted, better than protected species imho; a school for kimchi. Ordered my first coffee in a local coffee shop (40m from Hanok) (eat in or takeaway? still needs practice) followed by a quick lunch back at the Hanok of a tuna mayo gimbap (gimbap is a rice base, with whatever might be added, wrapped in dried seaweed - an equivalent of a sandwich perhaps) from the local (50m) convenience store, before a Korean lesson (much more civilised time of 1500 rather than the 0700 UK time), at which I've arranged to meet one of the other students who is in Seoul as well. [That last sentence feels like my day - long but rewarding!]


Comments

  1. Conrad18 April 2024 at 10:22

    What do I need to type into Google Maps to get a Street View of your present accommodation? Dad

    ReplyDelete
  2. Will18 April 2024 at 21:08

    Great update. Loving your enthusiasm on your trip.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Manu19 April 2024 at 05:21

    Like a child in a sweet shop was my exact words when I described how you sounded on the phone. After all your planning, it is great to hear your enthusiasm and sheer delight of finally being there. Not long to wait for me 😁

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sophie Jenkin23 April 2024 at 12:28

    oooh seagul meat! please do try some for me, if not just for the experience then for revenge mwahahaha

    ReplyDelete
  5. Alastair Jenkin, 알라스트4 May 2024 at 12:03

    This had my EK Korean teacher and her friend in stitches, because the Korean word for seagull is the same as the particular cut of pork flank, but the translator clearly made a literal mistake.

    ReplyDelete

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